Local Business Receives Grant

Gamemasters Guild, a 2019 PCDA Business Plan Pitch-off participant, had an idea for a mobile gaming unit. Because they like to share their passion for tabletop and board games, this homegrown small business wanted to take their business on the road to smaller communities lacking a hobby store. Enter The Backing Small Businesses Grant. 

This grant will enable GMG to take our business on the road and engage more gamers, board and electronic, young and old alike.  "Look for us at your next community event!" stated Matt Prater, one of the owners of Gamemasters Guild.  "Though we are excited to receive this national grant, our local economic development office, PCDA, has always been a small business cheerleader," continued Prater.  "Without the Business Plan Pitch-off Competition, and the City of Ponca City Grant in 2022,  our hobby business would not have survived one year, let alone COVID."  

Gamemaster's Guild received a $10,000 Backing Small Businesses Grant presented by American Express, in partnership with Main Street America.  They were one of only 500 recipients of this program.  The program's 2024 grant recipients represent U.S. small businesses across all 50 states, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.  Later this year, grantees will have the opportunity to apply for an additional $30,000 enhancement grant that will be awarded to 25 small businesses. 

Since launching in 2021, Backing Small Businesses has provided over $9 million in grants to 1,180 small business owners nationwide.  American Express and Main Street America initially created the grant program to help economically vulnerable small business owners recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and grow their businesses. 

This program is part of American Express’ “Backing Small” initiative to provide financial support and resources to small business owners experiencing economic hardships. Other Backing Small grant programs include Backing Historic Small Restaurants and Backing International Small Restaurants. Backing Small is an extension of American Express’ longstanding commitment to support small independent businesses globally, including through its Shop Small movement and Small Business Saturday campaign, celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. Meet the most recent Backing Small Businesses

​Enhancement Grant Recipients: https://mainstreet.org/the-latest/news/500-small-business-owners-receive-10-000-grants-through-backing-small-businesses-program

To learn more about the Backing Small Businesses grant program and learn about the grantees, click here.

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